iMovie turns iPhone 4 into a film editing studio

It’s cliché, but the app version of Apple’s iMovie ($4.99), available only for iPhone 4, can actually help you channel your inner insert-your-favorite-filmmaker-here by helping you package those short video clips into something more. iMovie is almost too simple to use. Launch the app and tap the plus sign to start a new project. You’ll […]

It’s cliché, but the app version of Apple’s iMovie ($4.99), available only for iPhone 4, can actually help you channel your inner insert-your-favorite-filmmaker-here by helping you package those short video clips into something more.

iMovie is almost too simple to use. Launch the app and tap the plus sign to start a new project. You’ll then be able to choose from “Modern,” “Bright,” “Travel,” “Playful” or “News” in the way of themes, which have optional corresponding music. You have to choose something, but the themes really only affect the title cards and fades, so you can work around them if you choose.

After you’ve completed the initial choices, you can use the camera button to record video in-app for use in your movie, or you can tap the lower left arrow icon to import media. Here, you’ll find access to the camera’s video roll, your still image roll and your iTunes library, so you can score your film to your own music.

You can’t split clips (something I hope is implemented in the future) but you can trim them down. (Work around this by dropping in multiple versions of the same clip and trimming accordingly.) Tap the clip and orange brackets will appear; simply slide them to where you want the clip to end. You aren’t permanently deleting the footage, so don’t worry about messing up. Transition markers will appear between clips; double tap these to select transition effects and the length of time. Even though you’re working with video, don’t be afraid to throw in still images, too. The iMovie app uses a Ken Burns-style panning effect on photos, so they don’t appear static and will work with the flow of your movie.

If you’re happy with your sure-to-be-award-winning movie, head back to the home screen—iMovie has autosave, by the way—and export your movie (you can select the file size) to your camera roll. From there, you can send the video via E-Mail, MMS or directly to YouTube.